Split wind turbine blade and method for manufacturing a part of a split wind turbine blade

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a component (21, 31; 25, 35) of a module of a wind turbine rotor blade divided into at least two longitudinal modules, said component (21, 31; 25, 35) having connecting elements with a complementary component (31, 21; 35, 25) in another module, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) producing a connecting laminate (23, 33; 27, 37) from a composite material in which the connecting elements are embedded, said connecting laminate (23, 33; 27, 37) being configured to become part of the component (21, 31; 25, 35); b) manufacturing the component (21, 31; 25, 35) using said bonding laminate (23, 33; 27, 37) as a preform.

Description

[0001] concerning European Patent 2 647 494 (DE 60 2013 004 825) found to be right: I. European Patent 2 647 494 is declared invalid to the extent of claims 1, 2, 4 to 8 and 11 (insofar as they refer back to at least one of the following claims 1, 2, 4 to 8) and 14 (insofar as they refer back to at least one of the following claims 1, 2, 4 to 8 and 11) with effect for the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany. (DE 60 2013, 004 825) 4 The 5th Senate (Voidability Senate) of the Federal Patent Court has decided on the oral hearing on 2 December 2022

Claims

[1] A method of manufacturing a component (21, 31; 25, 35) of a module of a wind turbine rotor blade divided into at least two longitudinal modules, said component (21, 31; 25, 35) having connecting elements with a complementary component (31, 21; 35, 25) in another module, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) producing a connecting laminate (23, 33; 27, 37) from a composite material in which the connecting elements are embedded, said connecting laminate (23, 33; 27, 37) being configured to become part of the component (21, 31; 25, 35); b) manufacturing the component (21, 31; 25, 35) using said bonding laminate (23, 33; 27, 37) as a preform. [2] A manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the bonding laminate (23, 33; 27, 37) is manufactured in a cured state. [3] A manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the bonding laminate (23, 33; 27, 37) is manufactured in a partially cured state. [4] A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said step b) is carried out in a mold (50) adaptable to produce a component of a one-piece rotor blade as well as components of a wind turbine rotor blade divided longitudinally into at least two modules. [5] A manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the component (21, 31; 25, 35) is manufactured simultaneously with the complementary component (31, 21; 35, 25) of another module, a separating template (51) being inserted between the two. [6] A manufacturing method according to claim 4, wherein the component (21, 31; 25, 35) is manufactured in the corresponding portion of the mold (50) and the rest of the mold (50) is not used. [7] A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said step b) is carried out in a specific shape for the component (21, 31, 25, 35). [8] A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein said component is a shell (21, 31). [9] A manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein said connecting laminate (23, 33) is configured to become a longitudinal center portion of the shell (21, 31), containing between 30-70% of the chord at its end near the complementary shell (31, 21), and along at least 20% of its length from its end near the complementary shell (31, 21). [10] A manufacturing method according to claim 9, wherein said connecting laminate (23, 33; 21, 31) extends along the entire length of the shell (21, 31). [11] A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein said component is a spar (25, 35). [12] A manufacturing method according to claim 11, wherein said connecting laminate (27, 37) is configured to become the cap of the spar (25, 35) for at least 20% of its length from its end near the complementary spar (35, 25). [13] A manufacturing method according to claim 12, wherein said connecting laminate (27, 37) extends along the entire length of the spar (25, 35). [14] A split rotor blade of a wind turbine, divided into at least two longitudinal modules comprising the components (21, 31; 25, 35), with connecting elements with complementary components (31, 21; 35, 25) in another module, characterized in that said components (21, 31; 25, 35) are manufactured by a manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1-13.